Surfing has petitioned to be included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This kicked off a debate that has now been running for almost a century. Tracks takes a deeper look investigating the history, the key players, the role of the WSL and the key question; Should surfing, or Tug-of-War, be a part of the Olympics?
The Background
Surfing has been mooted to be included in the Olympics since as way back as the 1920s when the Duke pressed for its inclusion. Back in 1995 the ISA President Fernando Aguerre was confident that surfing would be included in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It wasn’t. However even as late as 2013, surfing had again missed out on selection. That year the IOC Executive Board approved eight sports from a list of 12 that were in contention for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Surfing wasn’t on the longer list, primarily due to the lack of artificial wave technology that the IOC deemed necessary. It looked dead in the water, for Tokyo at least.
What changed?
Last December in Monaco, an extraordinary meeting of the IOC approved what was called “IOC Agenda 2020″ which includes sweeping changes in many areas related to the Olympic Games, including a streamlined path for introduction of new sports. “A new process got started, and that’s how surfing has petitioned again for inclusion,” Aguerre told Tracks. “Only sports with International Federation officially recognized by the IOC are allowed to petition for inclusion.” The ISA is that federation and its petition was based on the new wave making technology, most notably the WaveGarden.
What about the WSL?
This is a key point that many have missed. The WSL effectively own the surfers (and they in turn have a 10 per cent stake in the company), but it will be the ISA that will be running surfing at the Olympics. There was the equivalent in snowboarding when the Olympic events were run by the FIS (the International Skiing body) and not the established World Snowboard Tour. This was be like the International Bodyboard Association coming in to run surfing at the Olympics and led to all amounts of friction, issues with the course layouts and general antagonism. Of course the ISA is different, having run international surfing events for decades and enjoying a good relationship with the ASP and WSL, but there is bound to be some muscle flexing between the two bodies.
If surfing does get in, will the WSL be happy to hand over the reins of their baby to the ISA? In soccer, FIFA weren’t, and it made the Olympics an Under 23 competition, so it wouldn’t rival their World Cup cash cow. Back in 2012 Dave Prodan, the WSL Communications director said, “I am torn on whether or not surfing is an appropriate fit for the Olympics?” It’s hardly a ringing endorsement is it? There’s every chance that some of the best surfers might not be sanctioned to compete. Or if they are, they could surf in a very different rules and regs than seen on the World Surf League tour.
Who is surfing up against?
Out of an original long list of 26 sports (which included some crackers like bridge, chess, dance sport, floorball, flying disc, korfball and tug-of-war) surfing has made a short list that includes baseball, softball, bowling, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, surfing and wushu, a Chinese martial art. These sports have to make another presentation this August, and the final decision will be made and announced just before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
For and against
Owen Wright is unsure recently telling Reuters, “I think surfing in itself is more of an art form and an expression so I think the Olympic banner doesn’t really suit the sport of surfing.” Other surfers such as Gabriel Medina have been on record as very much in favour. Other commentators, such as the Encyclopedia of Surf’s Matt Warshaw were more direct. “The thought of surfing in the Olympics brings a familiar dab of bile to my throat. Can we just all agree to pretend, for a little while longer, that surfing is a unique thing to do?”
For what’s it worth?
I’d say why is surfing any more unique, or more of an art form than korfball, Wushu or kayaking? It may have a claim to that in its purest form, when surfers are getting tubed for the love of it. But for 50 years that claim has both been corrupted and advanced by competition. When that happened, the art form and lifestyle angle goes out the window. Why is getting scored by judges for ridng a wave in one format more unique than doing it in another? I get the artificial wave issue, but that is countered by the fact it is also the only chance to see a unique playing field in surfing. There is no luck, no ocean vagaries, just surfers being scored on the way they surf. And if we like to watch competitive surfing, why shouldn’t it be a part of the greatest competitive show on Earth? Come next year we will find out. The 100 year debate will either be finished, or more likely, postponed for another four years. This tug of war ain’t over.
